Ahsan Iqbal Terms Imran Khan A New Comer in Politics

Lahore(June 20, 2018): Hearing of Contempt of Court against former Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal was held at the Lahore High Court on Wednesday.

A three-member bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Muzahir Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case. The court rejected plea of the Ahsan Iqbal not to play controversial video in the court.

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The video has been aired on different channels, want to see what is in it, the bench added.

The hearing was later adjourned till June 22 due to absence of the Iqbal’s counsel.Later, talking to the newsmen outside Lahore High Court Ahsan Iqbal remarked that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief, Imran Khan is a novice politician, hasn’t even contested for local bodies’ elections. He has no experience.

Further criticising the PTI chief, Ahsan Iqbal added, “Imran Khan couldn’t even make a decision pertaining to caretaker chief minister. “There is no stability in Imran’s policies,”we can’t hand over the future of two million people in the hands of an inexperienced politician,” he added.

The former interior minister remarked that more than 40 people were killed in terror-related incidents daily in Pakistan five years ago. “PML-N strived towards establishing peace in the country,” he said.

“I respect the judiciary, I have nothing against them. I am not competing against the judiciary but extremist thoughts,” Iqbal remarked. Earlier on June 05, Counsel of Ahsan Iqbal presented his response during the hearing of the case, in which he said that his client respects the court, and appealed to dismiss the contempt of the court petition.

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The counsel of Ahsan Iqbal also appealed the court not to play footage of Ahsan Iqbal in the courtroom.Justice Atir Mehmood asked that have you(Ahsan Iqbal) told your companions too to respect the judiciary, what Daniyal Aziz, Talal Chadurhy and Maryam Aurangzeb said about the judiciary.Ahsan Iqbal had the choice to file plea over his statement in the Apex Court, but he did not.

Talking to the newsmen after hearing of the case, Ahsan Iqbal said that he has not met with Rehman Khan ever.

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On May 30, Lahore High Court had asked Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal to submit his written response in the contempt of court case.

During the hearing of the case, Ahsan Iqbal was asked by the honourable judges to speak at a low pitch.Counsel of Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar told judges that his client wants to present his statement in front of the court by himself, “We have asked for written reply of Ahsan Iqbal” the court replied, Later Iqbal was asked to present his stance, he said that I’m sorry that I could not appear in the last hearing of the case, I was attacked on May 7, Iqbal added.He said that his statement regarding Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) was a complaint. Ahsan Iqbal said that he has never thought of insulting court. I am a political worker and believe in democracy and judiciary, he added.

The court asked Ahsan Iqbal to speak at a low pitch and the minister was subsequently directed to submit written reply in the court.

Earlier, security was beefed-up on the arrival of the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Lahore High Court.The Plea for contempt of case proceedings was lodged by Advocate Azhar Siddique against Ahsan Iqbal, stating that Ahsan Iqbal insulted CJP with his remarks, he should be declared disqualified under article 62, 63.

Iqbal met with the Advocate General of Punjab, Asma Hamid regarding proceedings of the case.On May 7, Lahore High Court adjourned the hearing of contempt case against Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal for 15 days, as Ahsan Iqbal failed to appear before the court due to failed assassination attack.

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On the other hand, full-member bench headed by Justice Muzahir Ali Akbar heard the case during which, applicant Azhar Siddiq said that Iqbal criticized judiciary and used indecent language against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar.

It is worthwhile to mention here that on April 26, Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had criticised Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar for allegedly levelling baseless allegation against him.

Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, Iqbal said that the chief justice had “no right to calling-name people”. “You [Justice Nisar] must issue me a charge sheet. If you have evidence, produce it before me. But enough is enough,” Iqbal challenged.“The chief justice can sit on the bench [and raise allegations]… Ahsan Iqbal had appointed a vice chancellor on someone’s patronage… Mr Chief Justice has a heart. If you can feel disrespected, we too, have feelings and respect,” he said.

Earlier, the chief justice had suspended Prof Uzma Qureshi, the vice chancellor of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). Justice Nisar also said that he had full knowledge about the role of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in her appointment.During the hearing, when asked about her relation with the interior minister, Prof Qureshi had said that Iqbal was the student of her father. “Attempts have been made to malign me,” she maintained.

CJP Nisar had observed that the court could not tolerate any appointment made without transparency.

It may be recalled, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was injured in an assassination attempt after addressing a rally in Narowal’s tehsil Kanjrur on May 06.

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After which he was hospitalised for treatment and later was discharged from the hospital.